Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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2495.To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 344 of 11 July 2024, if he can respond further to the follow-up concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33304/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Further to the detail provided to the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question No. 344 of 11 July 2024, regarding the Medical Council’s drafting process of the 9th edition of the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Medical Practitioners (‘the Guide’), I have been advised that a rigorous review process was agreed with the Ethics Committee and Medical Council.

The final draft of the Guide was informed by consultation, including a roundtable consultation with key national stakeholders, international comparisons, extensive research, and complex discussions.

Drawing on all that was presented to them, the Ethics Committee agreed to produce the 9th edition of the Guide which was high level and principals-based, with emphasis on good professional practice and patient safety.

The Ethics Committee agreed during the drafting process that references to existing law would be removed from the content of paragraphs and inserted an introductory statement which stated it is a doctor’s duty to comply with laws and regulations pertaining to their practice. This was the basis for removal of the “must not take part in the deliberate killing of a patient” as it is illegal for all individuals, including doctors, to take part in the deliberate killing of a person, or to assist a person to end their own life.

The current discussion on assisted dying that was before the Joint Committee has not been debated by the Ethics Committee or the Medical Council.

As outlined previously to the Deputy, it should be noted that the Medical Council is an independent statutory body, and as Minister I have no role in the Council’s production of the Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Medical Practitioners. Under section 9 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, the Minister is precluded from giving policy directions to the Council in relation to the performance of its functions relating to the professional conduct and ethics of registered medical practitioners.